Cover Plate And Group Of Parts For Wall Mounting An Electrical Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Cover plate ( 1, 21 ) for the wall application of at least one electrical apparatus ( 20 ), characterised in that it comprises: —a base ( 2 ) having a through opening ( 3 ) adapted to receive a front portion of said at least one electrical apparatus ( 20 ); —a mask ( 4 ), which can be coupled to the base ( 2 ), equipped with a window ( 5 ) cooperating with said through opening ( 3 ) and it too adapted to receive a front portion of said electrical apparatus ( 20 ); —at least one fixing element ( 6 ) including, a first portion ( 9 ) adapted to project inside said window towards said base ( 2 ) and comprising coupling means ( 10, 14 ) of said element to said base ( 2 ), said fixing element including ( 6 ) moreover a second portion ( 7 ) adapted to cooperate with at least one surface portion ( 8 ) of said mask ( 4 ) facing said window ( 5 ) to fix said base ( 2 ) to said mask ( 4 ).

The present invention refers to the technical sector of the devices forthe wall mounting of electrical apparatuses, and more particularlyregards a cover plate and a composite structure, or group of parts,including such plate, for the wall mounting of an electrical apparatus.

Regarding the present description, for electrical apparatus it isintended, in general, any one means or electrical device generallymaking up part of electrical installations in civil buildings and thelike and normally intended to be mounted, for example embedded, in wallsof such buildings.

This definition therefore includes, not exclusively, switches,electrical sockets, sockets for data networks, TV sockets, telephonesockets, commutators, deviators, general electrical adjustment devices,connectors, thermostats, timers, fuse carriers, bells/buzzers, emergencylamps for example of removable type, signal lamps for examplefootlights, displays such as LCD and the like.

As is known, most of the above mentioned electrical apparatuses areusually installed on walls by using composite mounting structures, orgroups of parts, generally including:

-   -   a box intended to be embedded in the wall;    -   an apparatus carrier (or flush) mounting frame which can be        fixed to the box; and a cover plate which can be fixed to the        frame and provided with an opening to allow a user's visual or        manual access to the electrical apparatuses intended to be        installed on the flush mounting frame.

Such mounting structures often have modular structure to permit, using asame mounting group, the wall installation of electrical apparatuses ofdifferent type and in numerous configurations, arrangements andcombinations, which may even be personalised and modified over time. Insuch a manner, the producers are able to renew complete product lines byconsiderably limiting the number of components to be projected, testedand inserted in production.

In the above indicated mounting structure, the role of the cover plateis that of ensuring a minimum protection for the electrical devices, forexample from dust, as well as that blocking dangerous access (forexample through pointed objects) to the electrically conductive parts ofthe electrical apparatuses. Another fundamental task assigned to thecover plates is also that of hiding slight blemishes produced, forexample by the presence of a cavity in the wall, and from the presenceof the box and mounting frame, which in addition to having an aestheticvalue, has a functional value not likely to be compatible with aestheticrequirements or canons.

Still more often, it also occurs that the cover plates are not only usedfor hiding blemishes, but are even aesthetic furnishing elements inthemselves, i.e. elements which carry out an important role in theformation and characterisation of the furnishing of an internal setting.

In particular, to such end, it is known to produce the cover plates indifferent colours, materials and shapes to permit the adaptation ofthese to the settings in which these are installed, thus satisfying therequirements and the needs of different consumers.

Nevertheless, it is clear that from the production standpoint, makingavailable numerous plates of different colours, materials and shapesconsiderably complicates the storage production processes by a producer.This puts a series limit to the range of models available on the marketfor the plates, in order to avoid an excessive increase in theinvestments and production costs.

Moreover, in the current state of the art, there are intrinsic practicaland also economical limits in manufacturing, regarding the production ofcover plates for electrical apparatuses, of particular materials such aswood, glass, crystal, rock and metals (even precious).

It is therefore understandable how in the sector of plate productionthere are contrasting productive technical needs and commercial needs:on the one hand, indeed, for the production simplification, the loweringof the related costs and a simpler management of the supply it would bebetter to not have an excessive diversification among different coverplate models, while on the other hand to better satisfy the requirementsof the market it would be opportune to have a maximum variety ofavailable shapes, colourings, and materials—as well as fantasy.

The present invention proposes to offer a solution which permitsreconciling such opposing needs; in other words, the present inventionthus proposes to make a cover plate for electrical apparatuses appliedto walls with characteristics such to permit a production of the samewith a wider availability of models, shapes, and materials, at the sametime overcoming the limits mentioned in relation to the prior art.

Such object is attained by means of a cover plate as defined in theattached first claim, in its most general form, and in the dependentclaims in several particular embodiments.

A further aspect of the present invention is that of making available agroup of parts for the wall mounting of electrical apparatuses asdefined in the attached claim 16.

The invention will be better understood from the following detaileddescription of one of its preferred embodiments, made as exemplifyingand therefore in no manner limiting in relation to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a lateral section view with separated parts of a firstembodiment of a cover plate in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a lateral section view, with parts assembled, of the plate ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plane plan view of the plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a plane rear view of the plate of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of the plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plane plan view of the plate of FIG. 1, wherein threeelectrical apparatuses are also shown whose front portion is received inthe opening defined in the plate;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second cover plate embodiment inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flush mounting frame which can becoupled to a cover plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a lateral section view with separated parts of a thirdembodiment of a cover plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a lateral section view, with parts assembled, of the plate ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a lateral section view along the Z-Z axis of the cover plateof FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged detail of the plate of FIG. 11.

In the figures, equivalent or similar elements are indicated with thesame numeric references.

In FIGS. 1-6, a first particularly preferred embodiment of a cover plateis shown, indicated in its entirety with 1, in accordance with thepresent invention. The cover plate 1 may be employed for the wallapplication of at least one electrical apparatus. A particular setcomprising a cover plate 1 and at least one electrical apparatus isrepresented in FIG. 6, wherein three electrical apparatuses 20 arevisible in the form of network current sockets. Nevertheless, theexample of FIG. 6 is not limiting, thus a different number of electricalapparatuses and different types of electrical apparatuses may beassociated with the plate 1.

The plate 1 can be fixed, preferably in a removable manner, to a flushmounting frame which in turn may be fixed to a wall, for example bymeans of a box embedded in the same wall. In such a manner, the plateand the frame therefore define a group of parts, possibly also includingan embedded box, for the wall application of one or more electricalapparatuses.

A particular flush frame example is represented in FIG. 8 and isentirely indicated with 22. In such figure, coupling means 30 are alsovisible, comprised in the frame and provided for holding electricalapparatuses 20.

With reference to FIG. 1, the cover plate 1 includes a base 2, having athrough opening 3 adapted to receive a front portion of the electricalapparatus 20 to apply to the wall. In practice, the opening 3 is definedin the thickness of the base 2 and is such to be able to permit a userto establish a tactile or visual interaction with the electricalapparatus to apply to walls.

In the particular example of FIGS. 1-6, the base 2 not restrictively isa plate 2 having a substantially quadrangular plan, for examplerectangular. Nevertheless, other shapes are possible for the base 2which for example could also have a variable thickness or could have adifferent plan. The base 2, for example, may be quadrangular with roundcorners, square, circular or elliptical, etc. Preferably, but notrestrictively, the base 2 is made by moulding a polymeric material, forexample in hard plastic.

The through opening 3 is preferably defined in a substantially centralportion of the base 2 and is also quadrangular, for example rectangular.As for the base 2, varied forms and arrangements are neverthelesspossible for the through opening 3.

The cover plate 1 moreover includes a mask 4, which can be coupled tothe base 2 and is provided with a window 5 cooperating with the throughopening 3, it too adapted to receive a front portion of the electricalapparatus 20 to apply to walls. In the particular example of FIGS. 1-6,the mask 4 has a plan characterised by a conformation similar to theconformation of the base 3, such that the opening 3 and the window 5 aresubstantially coaxial. It should be nevertheless understood that theshape and size of such mask 4 are not bound to be adapted to the size ofthe base 2 and that, for example, the mask 4 may have a very differentprofile or plan with respect to the profile and plan of the base 2.

Regarding the materials, the mask 4 may be made in a multitude ofdifferent materials: in stone, for example slate or marble, in metal,such as steel, aluminium or zama (zinc, aluminium, copper alloy), inwood, also precious, in transparent or opaque glass etc.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the opening 3 of the base 2 hasslightly smaller dimensions with respect to the window 5 of the mask 4,so that when the mask 4 superimposes the base 2, a stepped profile isdefined between an edge portion of the base 2 facing the opening 3 and acorresponding edge portion of the mask 4 facing the window 5.

At least one fixing element 6 is provided for fastening together thebase 2 and the mask 4, acting by interference with a surface portion 8of the mask 4 facing the window 5.

More in detail, the fixing element 6 includes a first portion 9 whichprojects inside the window 5 towards the base 2. Such portion 9 includesmeans 10 to mechanically couple the fixing element 6 to the base 2.

The fixing element 6 includes, moreover, a second portion 7, for exampleprojecting coplanar with respect to the mask 4, adapted to cooperate byinterference with a surface portion 8 of the mask 4 projecting from thewindow 5. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first portion 9 and thesecond portion 7 of the fixing element 6 are connected with each otherso to define an undercut adapted to hold the mask 4 bound to the base 2when the fixing element 6 is coupled to the base 2.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing element 6 is such tocooperate by interference with the surface portion 8 of the mask 4 topressure tighten the mask 4 against the base 2.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fixing element 6 is such tointerfere with a surface portion 8 of the mask 4 corresponding with acontinuous edge portion 8 of the mask 4 which surrounds the window 5.Alternatively, in embodiments not shown in the figures, several distinctfixing elements 6 are foreseen on respective edge portions 8 of the maskwhich are discontinuous with each other.

It is observed that in the particular examples represented in thefigures, the fixing element 6 has an annular form and, in practice, ismade in a frame 6 which can be coupled to the base 2 and issubstantially coaxial with the window 5 of the mask 4 and opening 3 ofthe base 2.

Preferably, the frame 6 can be coupled in a removable manner to the base2. For example, as represented in FIG. 1, the frame 6 includes one ormore internally threaded seats 10 which face towards the base 2, and thelatter includes corresponding through holes 11 for coupling the frameand the base 2 by means of screws 12 crossing such through holes 11 andwhich can be screwed in respective seats 10 of the frame 6. In the casein which the frame 6 is made in plastic material, or more generally ineasily deformable material, it is preferably that the threaded seats 10foreseen in the frame 6 are in any case made in metallic material, toavoid that an excessive tightening of the screws 12, is such to produceanti-aesthetic deformations on the frame 6 portion which remain visiblewhen the cover plate 1 is assembled.

Preferably, the coupling means between the frame 6 and the base 2 permitthe adjustment of the distance between the projecting portion 7 of theframe 6 and the base 2, so to be able to adapt such distance to thethickness of the mask 4, for example in order to ensure a certaininterchangeability between a set of mask 4 of different thickness.

To obtain this adjustment, in several cases it is sufficient to adjustthe level of tightening of the screws 12, alternatively it is possibleto employ screws 12 of different length.

In a different embodiment, not represented in the figures, theadjustment may be obtained:

-   -   providing tongues on the bottom of the frame 6 which project in        the direction of the base 2 and are equipped with a plurality of        surface reliefs; and    -   providing coupling channels in the base 2 for receiving such        tongues and internally provided with flexible teeth adapted to        be engaged with such reliefs to be able to position the frame 6        at different distances with respect to the base 2.

In one alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, it is possibleto provide a coupling of non-removable type, for example by means ofrivets, between the base 2 and the frame 6.

In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, the base 3 and theframe 6 are removably coupled to each other by means of removable snapcoupling means.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base 2 is provided with further fixing means 13for coupling the base 2 to a mounting frame, for example to the frameshown in FIG. 8.

Such fixing means include, for example, tongues 13 which project fromthe bottom of the base 2 in the direction of the mounting frame 22 andare equipped on one side with a plurality of surface reliefs. Suchtongues 13 are shaped so to be able to be received in respective fixingchannels 23 foreseen in the frame 22. Preferably, each of such channels23 is internally provided with a respective tooth adapted to be engagedwith the reliefs of the respective received tongue 13. Advantageously,this permits being able to align the base 2 parallel to the fixing walleven when, due to an imperfect installation, the front part of themounting frame is not perfectly parallel to such wall.

Nevertheless, it is clear to the man skilled in the art that fixingmeans of a type different from the particular tongues 13 may be foreseenfor fixing the base 2, or more generally the cover plate 1, to amounting frame installed to the wall.

In FIG. 7 a second embodiment is shown of a cover plate 21 in accordancewith the present invention. It is observed that in such embodiment themask 4 has an encircling conformation. In other words, the mask inaddition to overlapping on a face of the base 2 is such to also be ableto laterally encircle the base 2 by means of a perimeter edge portion 41of the mask itself. It is observed that in FIG. 7 the mask 4 and theframe 6 are such to hide the base 2.

In FIG. 9 a lateral section view is shown with separated parts of afurther, not limiting embodiment of a cover plate 1 in accordance withthe present invention.

The plate 1 of FIG. 9 includes a sub-mask 15 with encircling frame whichcan be fixed to the base 2, for example by means of snap fixing means17. The function of such sub-mask 15 is essentially aesthetic, sincethis advantageously permits perimetrically covering the lateral outsideedge of the base 2 by simplifying in such a manner the productiveprocess of the base 2, for example avoiding having to foresee particularworking or colouring of the base 2 for aesthetic purposes.

In the cover plate 1, threaded seats 19 are visible in the frame 6, madefor example in metal in a piece separate from the same frame 6 so to besubsequently fixed to this.

Moreover, the plate 1 of FIG. 9 includes a base 2 comprising a collar 16which extends around the opening 3 of the base 2 to project inside thewindow 5 defined in the mask 4 and adapted to receive a part 9 of theframe 6 projecting inside said window 5.

Advantageously, by means of such collar 16, it is possible to snap fixthe frame 6 and the base 2, for example by means of snap couplingelements 18 on such collar 16 adapted to cooperate with correspondingsnap coupling elements defined on the frame 6.

The snap coupling elements 14, 18 are better visible in FIG. 11, whichrepresents a section view along the Z-Z axis of the plate of FIG. 9. Anenlarged detail of FIG. 11 is shown in FIG. 12. In particular, in theFIGS. 11 and 12, the snap coupling elements 14 and 18 are visiblerespectively on the frame 6 and on the collar of the base 2, whichrespectively are a small edge 14 made on the two opposite sides of theframe 6 and one or more tongues 18 made on the collar 16 and adapted tobe engaged with such edge 14. Advantageously, such snap coupling means14, 18 permit previously coupling the frame with the base 2, holding themask 4 in position and facilitating the subsequent final fixing obtainedby means of the coupling means 10 and 12, which in this particularexample are screws 12 and corresponding threaded recesses 20.

From the above description it is possible to understand how the coverplate of the invention, for that which regards the differentiationaspects requested by the market and the previously referred toproduction costs, attains the pre-established object, permitting tosatisfy the previously analysed contrasting needs.

In particular, it is observed that such plate, due to its modularstructure, is such to simplify and make uniform much of the productionprocess of a very numerous of different plates. In practice, thedifference of such processes advantageously reduces to the single stepof production of the masks. It is moreover observed that such productionstep of the masks is nevertheless simpler and less costly than the othersteps, since it is not necessary to realise particular workings for themaking base connection means in the mask.

For the same reason, it is moreover observed that not having to foreseesuch working, it is possible to make masks even of quite preciousmaterials, or those that are difficult or costly, if not impossible, towork.

In the case wherein a fixing element 6 is provided shaped as a frame, itis advantageously possible to simplify the realisation of the mask bynot having to finish the edge portion 8 of the mask facing the opening5, since such frame covering such edge portion can hide possibleimperfections, for example due to the cutting operating necessary forrealising the opening 5 in the mask 4.

In the case wherein coupling means of removable type are providedbetween the fixing element 6 and the base 2, the same user mayadvantageously substitute the mask 4 with the maximum simplicity eachtime it is desired. One may refer, for example, to the case in which thewalls of a room are repainted with a different colouring, or to the casein which the inside furnishing of the room is changed, and the need mayarise to readjust the cover plates. Since the cover plate 1 according tothe invention permits substituting the mask 4 with maximum simplicity,the advantage is evident which derives from this aspect of theinvention. Moreover, in the case in which the use of a transparent maskis foreseen, for example made of glass, the possibility of interposing asub-mask, for example in wallpaper fabric, between the mask 4 and thebase 2, permits even wider possibilities of plate personalisation inaccordance with the present invention.

Obviously, regarding the cover plate and group of parts described above,a man skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variants inorder to satisfy contingent and specific needs, all moreover fallingwith the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by thefollowing claims.

1. Cover plate for the wall application of at least one electricalapparatus, comprising: a base having a through opening adapted toreceive a front portion of said at least one electrical apparatus; amask for coupling to the base and equipped with a window cooperatingwith said through opening and adapted to receive a front portion of saidelectrical apparatus; at least one fixing element including a firstportion adapted to project inside said window towards said base andcomprising coupling means of said element to said base, said fixingelement including moreover a second portion adapted to cooperate with atleast one surface portion of said mask facing said window for fixingsaid base to said mask, wherein said coupling means permit removablycoupling the fixing element to the base.
 2. Cover plate according toclaim 1, wherein said fixing element is operative to cooperate with saidsurface portion of said mask for pressure tightening said mask againstsaid base.
 3. Cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said surfaceportion of said mask includes a continuous edge portion of said maskwhich surrounds said window.
 4. Cover plate according to claim 1,wherein said fixing element is a frame element which can be fixed to thebase by means of said coupling means and wherein said second portionincludes an edge of said frame element which projects coplanar withrespect to a surface portion of the mask close to said window tointerfere with such surface portion.
 5. Cover plate according to claim4, wherein said frame element is an annular element.
 6. (canceled) 7.Cover plate according to claim 6, wherein said mask represents one of aset of interchangeable masks.
 8. Cover plate according to claim 6,wherein said coupling means permit an adjustment of a distance betweensaid second portion and said base so to realise matching to thethickness of said mask.
 9. Cover plate (1) according to claim 6,wherein: said coupling means include a plurality of fixing tongues whichproject from said fixing element towards said base, said tongues beingequipped with a plurality of surface reliefs; and said base includescorresponding channels adapted to receive such fixing tongues, each ofsaid channels being internally provided with a tooth adapted tocooperate with such reliefs for the adjustment of said distance. 10.Cover plate according to claim 6, wherein: said coupling means includeat least one internally threaded seat which faces towards the base;wherein said base includes at least one through hole aligned with saidat least one seat and wherein said fixing element can be removably fixedto said base by means of at least one screw crossing such hole andscrewable into said seat.
 11. Cover plate according to claim 10, whereinsaid frame element is made in plastic material and wherein saidinternally threaded seats are metallic elements fixed to said frameelement.
 12. Cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said base is madein a plastic material.
 13. Cover plate according to claim 1, whereinsaid mask is a sheet in one of the materials comprised in the followinggroup: transparent glass, opaque glass, marble, slate, wood, steel. 14.Cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said mask is made in asubstantially transparent material and wherein such plate includes anadditional mask which can be interposed between said base and said mask.15. Cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said coupling meansinclude first and second coupling means and wherein said first couplingmeans permit snap coupling said fixing element to said base tofacilitate a subsequent coupling of the fixing element to the base bymeans of said second coupling means.
 16. Group of parts for the wallmounting of at least one electrical apparatus comprising: a flushmounting frame operative to being affixed to walls and equipped withconnection elements for receiving and holding said at least oneelectrical apparatus; a cover plate according to claim 1, wherein saidbase further includes connection means for connecting said base to saidflush frame and to permit the wall fixing of said cover plate.